Taking care of your pets is always top on your priorities and finding the right boarding facility is an important decision and should be given the right consideration when planning your next trip. But how do you choose the right facility from the many options available? This guide aims to assist you find the right facility for your pets by giving you an easy to use guide on how best to choose the right boarding facility.
1. Doing Your Research
To find the right facility, the first thing you’ll need to do is find all the options. The best way to begin is by looking for nearby boarding options. Some things to keep in mind when looking for boarding to include in your shortlist are:
– Online Reviews
– Personal Recommendations from your Vet, Groomer, or Friends
– Social Media
– Professional Awards or Certifications.
Multiple reviews across a variety of sites means that a boarding facility is probably trustworthy.
2. Visiting the Facility
Choosing a new boarding facility requires a lot of in person visits and is a very important step in the selection process.
- You should check for the following:
- Clean
- Well ventilated and lit
- No bad odors
- Secure
- Dog and cat areas are separated.
- Staff are friendly and professional
You should never consider facilities that do not offer in person visits and are unwilling to give short tours of their facilities.
3. Assess the Safety and Security First
The safety of pets and safety of staff must always come first.
Things to ask about include:
– 24-hour staff supervision
– CCTV monitoring
– Fire safety systems
– Emergency evacuation plans
– Secured double-gated entrances
– Separate rooms for aggressive or anxious pets
– Escape-proof facilities, especially small and scared pets
4. Evaluate the Staff Experience
The best facilities for pet boarding have the most caring, passionate, and best-trained staff.
Some potential staff qualities include:
– Knowledge of pet handling
– 1st Aid Training
– Experience with Different Breeds
– Able to Manage Behavioral Issues
– Calming, Compassionate Interactions
5. See If Your Pet Would Be Comfortable
To feel at home, pets should be examined in the boarding facilities carefully, such as:
– Kennel Size (spacious and clean)
– Temperature Control
– Comfortable bedding
– Private sleeping areas
– More quieter and stress-free areas for the pets
Cats need safe, enclosed spaces, and dogs need rooms where they can stretch and run.
6. Examine Feeding And Exercise Plans
How pets are entertained throughout the day is how their comfort is catered to.
Ask about the following:
– what food is provided?
– is the pet able to follow its own diet?
– how often are they fed?
– how often are placed walked or exercised?
– is there playtime with supervision? pets should be consistent in order to feel secure.
7. Vaccines and Other Important Health Factors
A professional and reputable pet boarding facility will have certain health policies that protect all pets in their care.
Assessing Mandatory Vaccinations
Boarding facilities should always ask for mandatory vaccinations such as Rabies, DHPP, and FVRCP as well as any flea and tick prevention protocols and health screening protocols. Sick pets should go to isolation as other pets should be quarantined to keep other boarding pets healthy. If the centre doesn’t have mandatory vaccinations, consider that a red flag. If the centre is partnered with emergency veterinarians, consider that a green flag.
Inquiries About Special Services
Some premium boarding facilities offer extra special care, such as grooming, training, and enrichment entertainment. Other boarding facilities allow pet parents to view their pets on camera. Other premium features include air-conditioning, and pet and activity packages to keep pets entertained.
Understanding Pricing and Policies
To keep pets and parents happy, especially the ones with special pets, facilities should have clearly defined costs and polices. Daily and mandatory weekend and holiday pricing, the cancellation policy, and any fees for medication and the timing for check-in and check-out are all considerations for policy pricing. Clearly defined polices and pricing is a green flag.
Short Trial Stays
If pets have to travel far for a longer trip, parents should do a one-night “trial” stay.
Your dog’s experience at a boarding facility will assist in:
– Assessing how your dog acclimates
– Observing how staff interacts with your dog
– Assessing your dog’s sense of comfort
Pet Boarding Checklist (Quick Reference)
Must Haves
– An environment that is clean and safe.
– A friendly staff that is also trained.
– Requirements for vaccinations.
– Sleeping areas that are comfortable.
– Opportunities for supervised play and exercise.
– A partnership with emergency veterinary services.
– Pricing that is transparent.
Things That Are Nice To Have
- Grooming
- Pet webcams
- Climate control
- Enrichment activities
- Individualized nutrition
Final Thoughts
Searching for pet boarding should not be stressful. After a little research and using a quality boarding checklist, you should be able to find the perfect place for your pet to have a safe and comfortable stay.